Queen Ascending (Ace of Queens #2)

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

All night Gemma couldn't sleep. She tossed and turned as she thought of Exton over and over again.

She had wanted him so badly. She would have let him do anything he wanted.

When it was evident that sleep wouldn't come easy to her, she focused on the door until the lock turned.

Throwing the covers off of herself, Gemma summoned a portal.

She didn't know why, but when she stepped out of the portal and into Exton's room she knew he would be awake too.

Exton sat up in bed as the covers slid off his bare chest. His eyes landed on Gemma and he smiled.

Gemma didn't know what to say. She hovered awkwardly, "I couldn't sleep."

Exton moved over and made space for her on the bed.

"Is that a good idea?" Gemma asked.

"I really don't care what kind of idea it is," Exton chuckled. "I just want you here."

Gemma nodded. She slowly walked over to the bed and climbed in. Instantly, Exton wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest.

"He'll kill us if he finds out," Gemma said as she traced Exton's face.

"Does anyone know you are here?" Exton asked.

"No," Gemma shook her head. "They don't know that I can open portals."

"Smart girl," Exton smiled. He couldn't explain how good it felt to have her in his arms and in his bed.

A comfortable silence blossomed between them. The minutes of the clock ticked by as their eyes explored each other. Gemma felt as if she could finally breathe...Exton was the only thing that made her anxiety manageable.

"Exton," Gemma said after a while.

"Yes, angel?"

Gemma's heart fluttered at the pet name. She tried to hide a smile but Exton caught it.

"How many girls have you...you know." Gemma couldn't look him in the eyes.

Exton watched her blush but her question had tied a knot in the pit of his stomach.

"The day I lost you, I swore that once I found you again I would never lie to you...I'll answer your question. But are you sure you really want to know?"

Gemma's heart sank. She didn't want to know anymore.

"I'm sorry," Exton said honestly.

"For what?" Gemma looked up at him through her lashes.

"For not waiting for you," Exton sighed.

"I don't think it bothers me..." Gemma stared at the little scar on one of his collar bones. "I was not in your life back then."

"But I knew someday you would be," Exton tucked her hair behind her ears.

"You didn't want a mate," Gemma reminded him.

"I was an idiot...I was angry with everything that was happening to my parents. Growing up, it was a constant fear that any day I would find my mate and my parents would be doomed...but then my eyes landed on you. And it was as if all the storms brewing and raging inside of me finally stopped."

Gemma stilled. She felt Exton's arms tighten around her.

"I was calm," Exton continued. "But I was also terrified...I felt has if someone had lifted a weight off of my chest only to drop the weight of the world on my shoulders."